If it is, we will advise you, in brief terms, of the types of issues you have asked us to look into. We will write to the professional organisation requesting its file and asking for any comments. We will also send a copy of your complaint form to the lawyer you complained about.
Our investigation into your handling complaint will be based around the professional organisation's complaint file, the information provided in the complaint form and any response that we might receive from the lawyer. We can ask for more information from you, the lawyer, or the professional organisation if needed.
We will report on the way the professional organisation handled the investigation, and whether it looked into the conduct complaint properly. If we do not think that the investigation was satisfactory, we will generally make one or more of the recommendations described below. The format of our report will vary and may, where appropriate, take the form of a letter. In some cases there will be confidential information which we cannot release. You will be advised if information is being restricted.
We can also carry out a general review of the professional organisation's file as part of its oversight and monitoring functions. The result of any such review may be included in our report.
Under certain circumstances, your handling complaint may be suspended e.g. if the professional organisation’s decision is being appealed.